We're Back on the Water

Loooookit that Minnesota sky... :)

"You don't work in a high-risk environment for TB do you?" the nurse at the Minute Clinic asked, scanning through the list of routine questions she had to go through. "That would be, for example, a prison, or some other crowded environment..."
"Well actually... I work on a ship," I began awkwardly, still not used to sharing this information with perfect strangers. Normally I'm surrounded by people who are, literally, in the same boat. Then I realized I should probably add, "With 400 other people."
"Okay," the nurse moved her mouse, clicked, began typing. I glanced around the tiny room for a few seconds. She picked up her paper again, looking for the next question. "Okay," she said again, "Aaand, when was--"
"Um--sorry--I should also probably mention... that there's a hospital on the ship... where I work." I said this as though it had just occurred to me.
"Oh, okay, let me just make a note on that last question then..." Another click. Pause. Typing. Pause. More typing.. Back to the paper. "Okay..."
"Also, one more thing? The ship is in Africa. That's probably important...?"

~~~

It was funny suddenly having to explain all of the things that went without saying for everyone on the ship for the past year. Back home, once I start getting into details, I could keep talking for hours. I'm thankful for those that took the time to listen when I shared, both a lot and a little.

Doing all my favorite "home" things included a weekend at Hope Shores Bible Camp :)

Five weeks in Minnesota felt like *just* enough. I facetiously told my ship friends that this was too short to miss them. I could have happily stayed home longer, sleeping in my giant bed, drinking coffees on the porch, camping and biking with my family, but nothing lasts forever.

Luckily it was enough time away that I was able to feel excited about going back. Thank you to everyone who poured into me this summer, and who prayed for my travels! Despite stories of strikes at airports in Spain on the day I was travelling through, I had no problems whatsoever with delays or baggage check.

Hello Gran Canaria!

I arrived a little after lunch on Sunday. The bags I had packed, along with some things I had moved in before going home, seemed to completely fill my tiny cabin space! I wish I had a photo, but then again, I'm glad there's no evidence... Let's just say I was very thankful in that moment to have that nook to myself, because getting myself organized was not a one-night project, and it would have driven a bunk-mate crazy!

I arrived on in time for the impromptu worship gathering that night.

 After one short week in the Canary Islands, we set sail on Sunday evening. (shout out to the deck and engineering teams, who appeared to be working all day and into the night on the weekend to get everything ready!)

We expect to arrive in Conakry Saturday morning, in time for a ceremony scheduled for that afternoon. The Prime Minister and the First Lady of Guinea are invited. And the First Lady is, indeed, the President's wife. I didn't realize it was possible to have a PM and a President! Although I've been told even the first Lady outranks the PM, who is only 2 months into his term. Pray for him.

Worshiping together on the bow.

You may notice a few (overdue) updates to this blog, including a page with my fundraising info along the top bar, some new prayer requests, and maybe, just maybe (coming soon!) a new background photo that I didn't take in Benin. ;) I've also changed the title at the top of this page, although I've decided to keep the same URL (cameroon-kate.blogspot.com) to avoid confusion.

That's all for now! Thank you for reading. I hope to post more photo from my job in my next update. This should be an exciting weekend... In the meantime, enjoy a few more photos!

One of those places I could have stayed longer--Lake Superior!

Dinner out for David's birthday! (Photo cred: dad)

They wear whatever I give them and it's awesome ^_^

Discovering a new corner of Gran Canaria with new friends.

Exploring the dunes in the south of the island.